Research

Climate Change Theme

Climate change presents one of the greatest environmental, economic, and social challenges of our time. Understanding the ocean's response to climate change is essential to determining both the rate of surface warming and the rate of rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide, because the ocean is the largest natural sink for both heat and CO2.

At IMAS, we seek to quantify these interactions, especially those near to, and important for, Australia. In particular, we will quantify the physical responses to climate change such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, modulation of the Leeuwin and East Australian boundary currents, overturning circulation in the Southern Ocean, and changes in Antarctic sea ice and ice shelves. Our research also investigates biogeochemical feedbacks via changes in irradiance, nutrient supply, and ocean acidification.